The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World, Vol. III. Being the First of the Second VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World, Vol. III. Being the First of the Second Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
During the night, between the 7th and 8th, some time in the middle
watch, all our friendly connections received an interruption, through
the negligence of one of the centinels on shore. He, having either slept
or quitted his post, gave one of the natives an opportunity to carry off
his musket. The first news I heard of it was from Tee, whom Otoo had
sent on board for that purpose, and to desire that I would go to him,
for that he was _mataoued_. We were not well enough acquainted with
their language to understand all Tee’s story; but we understood enough
to know that something had happened, which had alarmed the king. In
order, therefore, to be fully informed, I went ashore with Tee and
Tarevatoo, who had slept aboard all night. As soon as we landed, I was
informed of the whole by the serjeant who commanded the party. I found
the natives all alarmed, and the most of them fled. Tarevatoo slipped
from me in a moment, and hardly any remained by me but Tee. With him I
went to look for Otoo; and, as we advanced, I endeavoured to allay the
fears of the people, but at the same time insisted on the musket being
restored. After travelling some distance into the country, inquiring of
every one we saw for Otoo, Tee stopped all at once, and advised me to
return, saying that Otoo was gone to the mountains, and he would proceed
and tell him that I was still his friend; a question which had been
asked me fifty times by different people, and if I was angry, &c. Tee
also promised that he would use his endeavours to recover the musket. I
was now satisfied it was to no purpose to go farther; for, although I
was alone and unarmed, Otoo’s fears were such, that he durst not see me;
and, therefore, I took Tee’s advice, and returned aboard. After this I
sent Oedidee to Otoo to let him know that his fears were ill-grounded;
for that I only required the return of the musket, which I knew was in
his power.
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